Kosovo's public universities are enhancing their collaboration with industry leaders in Agriculture and ICT sectors to align their curriculum revisions with market demands. Starting this November, universities’ academic staff, teaching excellence centers, and student career centers are undergoing training to lead working groups dedicated to continuously adapting and improving curricula to meet the latest job market requirements. Ms. Monica Rossi, a Competency-Based Education Expert from the University of Iowa, leads training sessions that draw on Iowa's academia-industry collaboration expertise to address the training and education requirements of partner universities in Kosovo.
These sessions are part of the Training of Trainers Programs, made possible with support from USAID Kosovo, and are designed and delivered by the University of Iowa under the Private Sector Partnerships to Strengthen Higher Education Activity. The aim is to produce skilled trainers who will lead university-industry corporate panels in the future. These panels, comprising university representatives and industry professionals, create and revise study programs, aligning them with the advice of successful industry figures who work directly in the field.
Four training sessions have taken place in partner Universities of the activity, including University of Prishtina, University of Peja, and University of Prizren. With over 40 participants, these sessions have provided an excellent opportunity to assess current university practices related to curriculum development in collaboration with the private sector. Participants delved into methods for enhancing industry professionals' engagement, effectively structuring and leading corporate panels, ensuring the inclusion of highly qualified industry experts, and pinpointing the competencies and training requirements for the universities' targeted study programs.
This marks the initial series of corporate panel leader training, with more to follow in the next five years.
"Adapting and shaping our study programs to align with industry demands is a crucial step towards achieving accreditation. We are appreciative of the support and guidance provided by the University of Iowa, on leading corporate panels. This experience presented us with a valuable opportunity to enhance our ability to analyze job market requirements, engage in meaningful discussions, and evaluate our curriculum revision methodologies alongside our peers from different universities. Additionally, we have acquired tools that help us gather essential information and engage with industry representatives who play a vital role in shaping our educational initiatives," said Zana Limani Fazliu, assistant professor, Faculty of Electrical and Computer Science, University of Prishtina.
The dedication and commitment of Kosovo's public universities to adapt and evolve their curricula to meet industry demands are a commendable stride towards achieving accreditation and ensuring the employability of their graduates. The guidance and collaboration with the University of Iowa, along with industry experts, have proven invaluable in this journey. The skills, insights, and tools acquired through these training sessions will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the future of education in Kosovo and empowering students with the knowledge and skills needed for successful careers in the dynamic job market.
The USAID Private Sector Partnerships to Strengthen Higher Education Activity aims to strengthen partnerships between the private sector and academic institutions in Kosovo. The Activity is guided by the Iowa Consortium, led by the University of Iowa, with collaboration from Iowa State University and the Kosova Education Center.
Learn more about the program